If you had to ask me what the most underutilized resources was in the Church in the West both collectively as the Body of Christ and individually believers, I would say ‘power’, the supernatural, miraculous power of God that is available to each one of us. This available power that is taught consistently throughout Scripture, is demonstrated effectively in other cultures, is observed occasionally in the church in the West, is very often the missing ingredient in the life of the Christian.

In Acts 1:8 we read these profound words, "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

We are busy with a series on Spiritual Warfare. This morning I want to talk with you about this event that the Bible writers call ‘The Baptism in the Spirit.’ The Holy Spirit was given in order to release power of God into the life of the believer.

Acts 9:17-19 "So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened."

Jesus said in Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

We have got to understand the Biblical difference between Baptism BY the Spirit and Baptism IN the Spirit.

1. The Two Main Baptisms in the Bible

The Baptism BY the Spirit Into Christ

This is the act whereby the Holy Spirit baptizes a person into the Body of Christ and this occurs at salvation. The purpose of this baptism is to cleanse from sin and position ‘In Christ.’

This is the act whereby the Christ baptizes a person into the Holy Spirit and while this may sometimes occur at the same time as salvation, it is a separate experience. The purpose of this baptism is to enable Christlikeness and empower ministry.

I have heard some people say that Baptism in the Spirit occurs at salvation. While I think it may sometimes happen at the same time as salvation, the fact that there are numerous instances in Scripture where it occurs at a different time to salvation leads me to believe that it is a separate experience to salvation.

Let me tell you what is happening at this point in our passage. The church is entirely Jewish. The Gospel was preached only to the Jews. As a matter of fact, if a Gentile wanted to be saved he had to first become Jewish - circumcised, ceremonial law, the whole deal.